Electric target-practice apparatus for firearms



OGL 18 1927' E. H. STRONG ELECTRIC TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS FORFIREARMS Filed Ju1y 9. 1926 2 Sheets-sheer. 1

En Ene H; i TTDLEQ 1,645,881 Oct- 18 1927' E. H. STRONG ELECTRIC TARGETPRACTICE APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS W ULATIONl gwuentoz ELL Ene H. StrungPatented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES EUGENE H. STRONG,

F PEARSALL, TEXAS.

ELECTRIC TARGET-PRACTICE APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS.

Application led July 9,

The present invention relates to electric target practice apparatus foruse upon firearms.

Since'speed and accurac in the use of firearms can only be developed bytarget practice, the average citizen is handicapped in becoming soeflicient in t-he use of firearms owing to the high cost of ammunition,and the inability to find a suitable place 1u whereby speed and accuracymay be obtained through the medium of target practice. Owing to theexpense and inconvenience of familiarizing himself with the fire arm andits use, through the medium of target practice, the average citizen doesnot become proficient in the use of firearms.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide anelectric target practice apparatus for firearms for facilitating 2otarget practice without the necessity of buying ammunition and thelocating of a suitable placeat which target practice may be safelycarried on.

A further object of the invention is to 23 provide a light projectingmeans which may be readily associated with existing types of fire armsin a manner whereby upon operation of the trigger of the fire arm, aconcentrated beam of light will be projected ."0 through the barrel ofthe' gun and strike at the exact spot on the target at which a bulletwould have hit if the gun were actually fired.

A further object of the invention resides 3:, in the provision of anovel light projecting attachment for firearms embodying featureswhereby an electric light having a circuit completed therethroughthrough actuation of the firing mechanism, will remain lit so 4o long asthe pressure is maintained on the trigger of the un.

`A still furt er object of the invention resides in the provision of alight projecting cartridge of novel construction. adapted to.

be positioned in one of the chambers of a rotating cylinder of a firearmand have the lamp thereof illuminated upon actuation of the firingmechanism for projecting a concentrated light beam through the barrel of'.o the gun.

A still further object of the invention resides in the lnovelarrangement whereby the light projecting cartridge is maintained inalignment with the bore 1n the gun barrel during opera-tion of thefiring mechanism.

1926. Serial No. 121,431.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of anovelly constructed light projecting cartridge having cushioning meansso associated therewith as to eliminate possibility of the lamp filamentbeing broken upon the impact of the firing pin which serves forcompletion of the circuit through the lamp.

Briefly, the invention. resides in the provision of an electric targetpractice apparatus for firearms, embodying a light pro- 'ectingcartridge for insertion in one chamer of the gun cylinder in axialalignment with the gun barrel, and which light projecting cartridgeforms one terminal of a suitable conductor leading to an electricbattery, and a retainer cartridge inserted in a second chamber of thegun cylinder, serving as a terminal for the opposite side of tliebattery and so cooperating with the firing meehanism of the cylinder ofthe gun as to retai-n the chamber carrying the light projectingcartridge in alignment with the bore of the gun barrel during succemiveoperation of the firing mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention than those aforementioned,will be apparent during the course of the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification, and in which drawings.

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and part in longitudinalsection through a conventional type of revolver and showing theapparatus as applied thereto.

igure 2 is an enlarged transverse section on line 2 2 of Figure l andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line'3--3 of Figure2 and looking in the direction'of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through one form oflight projecting cartridge as employed for the projecting of aconcentrated light beam through the barrel of the gun.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the cartridge taken on line 5 5 ofFigure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the manner in which anelectrical source of energy may be connected with the light project-ingcartrid e.

Figure 7 is a central ongitudinal section through a modified form oflight projecting cartridge and showing the various parts in position forthe completion of a circuit through the lamp of the cartridge.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7 and looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a stillfurther form of light projecting cartridge and showing the movableelement in circuit completing relation.

Figure 10 is a transverse section on line ]0-10 of Figure 9 and lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a view part in elevation and )art in longitudinal sectionof the form of light projecting cartridge as illustrated in Figure 9 andillustrating details of .construction for assembling of the cartridge,and showing the circuit completing portions in an open circuit position.

Figure 12 is a perspective! View of one of the movable circuitcompleting` elements of the cartridge as illustrated in igurehll.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and wherein similar referencecharacter designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A designates a conventional type of lire arm in the form ofarevolver, By a light projecting cartridge for association with therevolver A for the projecting of a light beam through the barrel of therevolver upon actuation of the firing mechanism of the latter, and C aretainer cartridge associated with the revolver A for retaining thelight projecting cartridge B in alignment with the gun barrel duringsuccessive actuation of the firing mechanism of the revolver. The letterD may designate a further form of light projecting cartridge, and theletter E a still further or third form of light projecting cartridge forassociation with the revolver A in a manner like thatof the cartridge B.

Referring to the revolver A, and which is of conventional construction,the same is ot' that type embodying a single barrel 20 having a cylinder21 revolubly mounted at the base of the barrel and which cylinder isprovided with a number of chambers 22 which are successively broughtinto axial alignment with the bore 23 of the barrel 20 for forming acontinuation of the bore in the barrel upon each complete operation ofthe firing mechanism M. The cylinder 21 is revolubly mounted in the gunframe 24 as by the usual center pin 25. The firing mechanism M and whichis mounted in the frame 24 forwardly of the handle or stock 26, embodiesthe trigger 27, hammer 28, lifter 29, and the hand 30 which normallyengages in tlie recesses 3l provided in the rear face of the cylinder 21for rotatin of the cylinder u n rearward pulling o the trigger 27.

lie usual tiring pin 32 is mounted in the upper portion of the frame 24rearwardly of the cylinder 2l and normally held out of tiring positionas bya coil spring 33. In operation of the firing mechanism M, and uponrearward pulling of the trigger 27, the lifter 29 moves upwardly at therear ot' the firing pin 32 into a position whereby upon automaticreleasing of the hammer 28, the hammer will drive the firing pin foi'-wardly for tiring of a cartridge contained in the cylinder chamber whichis in alignment with the barrel bore 23. So long as the pull ismaintained upon the trigger 27, the hammer 28 will hold the firing pin32 in engagement with tlie firing cap of the cartridge and uponreleasing of the trigger, the lifter 29 will drop to a posit-ion asShown in Figure 1 and allowing the firing pin 32 to move rearwardly outof contacting engagement with the cartridge. The aforementionedoperation defines the manner iii which the firing mechanism operates forthe tiring of the regular loaded cartridges.

Referring now to the light projecting cai'- tridge B, and morespecifically to that form as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the same isof a shape and size resembling the usual loaded cartridge for use in thetype of firearm as illustrated in Figure 1, and embodies a metal tubularcasing or shell 35 of a size to snugly fit within either of the chambers22 of the cylinder 21, and provided at the rear end of the casing is anexternal rim 36 which engages the rear face of the cylinder 21 forpreventing the cartridge from moving forwardly in its chamber 22. It mayhere be well to state, that the particular form B of the lightprojecting cartridge, is primarily intended for use in guns of smallcaliber, since the same may be more compactly constructed than either ofthe types D and E. Snugly fitting within the tubular casing 35, is acylindrical ldngitudi-v nally halved core 37 formed of a suitableinsulating material such as fiber or bakelite. The sections of theinsulating core 37 may be secured together by suitable cap screws 38 asillustrated in Figure 5. Provided axially of the insulating core 37, andpreferably adjacent the rear end thereof, is a pocket 39 rearwardly fromwhich extends an axially disposed guideway 40 which opens at the rearend of the cartridge as clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

Rigidly mounted as by cementing or the like to the forward end of casing35, is an evacuated light bulb 41 provided with a post 42 for thesupporting of a ilament 43, having lead wires 44 and 45 which may extendexteriorly of the light bulb. A reflector 46 is also carried by theforward end of the post 42 inwardly of the light bulb, and whichreflector is intended for projecting an intense and concentrated beam oflight upon illuminating of the filament 43. As will be lill) observed inFigure 4, the light bulb is of hemispherical formation at its forwardend and has its rear portion tapering in conical formation into theforward end of the insulating bore 37.

Mounted axially of the insulating core 37 and at the rear of the lightbulb 41, is a metal terminal block 47 and to which one terminal of thefilament lead 44 may be attached in any suitable manner. Electricallyconnected with the terminal block 47 and extending axially through thecore 37, is a conductor rod 48 the rear terminal of which projects intothe pocket 39.

A cushioning means K mounted in the pocket 39, embodies in part, a rearmetal terminal block 49 of cup shape in formation and through which therearwardly projecting end of the conductor rod 48 extends. Bolts 50 maybe threaded upon each end of the conductor rod 48 and engage therespective metal terminal blocks 47 and 49 for securing of the blocks inposition within the core 37. Slidably mounted in the guideway is a metalContact cap 51 forming a part of the cushioning means K, and which isalso of cup shaped formation, and which is preferably formed of steel orother suitably hard material such that the same will not be battered byimpact of the firing pin 32 when the firing pin contacts with the cap.An annularly projecting rim 52 is preferably provided at the forwardopen end of the cup shaped contact cap 51 for engaging with the rear endof the pocket 39 and acting as a stop for limiting rearward movement ofthe contact cap. An expansion coil spring 53 positioned between theoppositely arranged cup shaped members 49 and 51, and which spring alsoforms a part of the cushioning means K, serves for normally urging thecontact cap 5 1 rearwardly, and also serves as an electrical connectionbetween the metallic members 49 and 51. As will readily be apparent,this coil spring 53r serves to cushion the impact of the firing pin ofthe fire arm in a manner whereby neither the firing pin or the contactcap will be battered by the impact, owing to the fact that when the pinstrikes the contact cap the sprmg 53 will yield and allow the cap to bemoved inwardly by the pin. This cushioning means K also serves forpreventing possible injury or breaking of the filament 43 by the impactcaused by the firing pin 32 striking the contact cap 51. By observingFigure 4, it w11] be seen that the lead 44 of the filament iselectrically connected through to the contact cap 51, and is insulatedfrom the tubular casing or shell 35. The lead of the lamp filament mayextend rearwardly through the insulating core 37 and be lead ininsulated relation through the rim 36 provided at the rear end of thecasing 35, and be suitably connected to a. wire 45 leading to oneterminal of an electrical energy device such as a battery H as shown inthe diagrammatic view illustrated in Figure 6.

By observing Figure 1, and when the firing mechanism M is in its normalposition, the firing pin 32 is held in a retracted condition by means ofthe spring 33 out of contacting engagement with the contact cap 51 andthus breaking the circuits leading through the cushioning means K.

Referring now to the retainer cartridge C, the same may be formed of anysuitable metal and be of cylindrical formation for snug fittingengagement in one of the chambers 22 of the cylinder 21. This retainercartridge C is intended for co-acting with the firing mechanism of thegun in a manner whereby the chamber containing the light projectingcartridge B will be maintained in axial alignment with the bore of thegun barrel during successive actuation of the firing mechanism. Thiscartridge C is provided at its rear end with a laterally projecting lugwhich when the cartridge is disposed in the proper chamber 22 will actfor retaining the hand 30 out of engagement with the recesses 31provided in the rear face of the cylinder 21, and thus prevent the handfrom functioning as a rotating means for the cylinder upon eachoperation of the firing mechanism. Thus it will be seen that by soretaining the hand 30 out of operating engagement with the recesses 31,the cylinder chamber in which the light projecting cartridge isdisposed, will be held in alignment with the gun barrel. A conductorwire 61 is suitably connected with the rear portion of the cartridge C,and leads to the opposite terminal of the battery H. With thisconstruction, it will be observed that the retainer cartridge C servesas a means for grounding one terminal of the battery H with the gun Aand where upon the one terminal of the battery is connected with thefiring pin 32.

In operation, it will be observed lthat when the firing pin 32 is mov-edinto contacting engagement with the Contact cap 51 by means of thehammer 28 and lifter 29, that an electrical circuit will be completedthrough the filament 43.

The battery H may be in the form of a small iash light battery disposedin a suitable case and hung to the belt or any other convenient placewhich will not interfere with proper manipulation of the gun when beingusedfor target practice.

Since the bore in the barrel of firearms is usually bright, andsometimes rifled, such would tend to diffuse the light rays passingthrough the barrel, and for this reason it is desirable that a tubularsheet of black paper 63 be inserted in the barrel for preventmgdiffusion of the light rays passing therethrough.

llO

If it is desirable to still further concentrate the light rays passingthrough the barrel, the same may be accomplished by the placing of a cap64 over the end of the barrel, said cap being provided with a suitableconstricted aperture through which the light rays may be projected in aconcentrated beam.

Referring to the form D of the light projecting cartridge as illustratedin Figures 7 and 8, the same embodies a tubular casing oi` shell 65being threaded at its forward end and closed at its rear end by asuitable cap 66 provided with an axially disposed guideway 67. Alongitudinally halved insulating core 68 fitting within the casing 65,is provided with axially aligned communicating forward, intermediate,and rear pockets 68', 69 and 70 respectively. These pockets providemeans for the mounting of a cushioning means K axially of the core 68.

Mounted in the forward pocket 68', is a two part terminal block 71 thesections of which are normally urged in opposed relation as by anexpansion coil spring 72. Mounted in the intermediate pocket 69, is asecond or rear two part terminal block 73, the sections of which arenormally urged i n opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 74.The rear section of the terminal block 73, is provided with a forwardlyextending contact rod 75 which is adapted to contact with the rearsection of the two part terminal block 71. Reciprocally mounted in theguideway 67 and extending into the rear pocket 70, is a contact block 76formed of insulat-ing material, and arranged over the 'rear end of theblock, is an impact cap 78 for engagement by the firing pin 32.

A single contact light bulb 80carries a metal sleeve 81 which may bethreaded into the forward threaded end of the casing 65 with the centercontact 82 engaging the forward section of the two part terminal block71, and which bulb has its metal base 83 v grounded upon the casing 65through the connection 84. A lead wire 85 insulatively` lead through thecasing 65, is connected with the rear two part terminal block 73, andmay be connected at its opgosite end .to one terminal of the battery H.he opposite terminal of the battery may be connected through the usualretainer cartridge C, and which through the metal frame of the gunconnects with the metal casing 65. In this form D, the contact is brokenbetween the terminal blocks 71 and 73 by movement of the contact rod 75out of contacting relation with the rear section of the forward terminalblock or blocks 71. In this form, the firing pin 32 is not relied uponas a sole means for the completion of a circuit to the bulb 80.

Referring to the form E of light pro jecting cartridge as illustrated inFigures 9 to 12 inclusive, the same embodies a metal tubular casing orshell having a reduced threaded forward end portion 91, and provided atits rear end with an external rim 92. The casing encloses alongitudinally halved insulating core 93 provided with axially disposedcommunicating front and rear pockets 94 and 95 respectively. Mounted inthe front pocket 94 is a two part terminal block 96 having its sectionsnormally urged in opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 97.Mounted in the rear pocket is a two part terminal block 98 having itssections normally urged in opposed relation as by an expansion coilspring 99. The rear section of the terminal block 99 has a forwardlyextending contact rod 100 which is adapted for contacting with arearwardly projecting contact rod 101 carried by the rear section of thefront terminal block 96. Mounted in the rear pocket 95, and insulatedfrom the rear terminal block 98, is a metal impact cap 102 which whenengaged by the liring pin 32 moves the rod sections 100 and 101 intocontacting engagement for the completion of a circuit through the lightbulb 103. The light bulb 103 is of the single contact t-ype, providedwith a threaded base 104 for threaded engagement with the threaded endportion 101 of the casing 90 with the center contact 105 engaging theforward terminal block 96. A reflector 46 may be mounted about thefilament of the lamp for concentrating of the light rays as in a mannerlike that of the reflector shown in Figure 4. The lead Wire 85 isconnected with the rear terminal block 98 and may extend to one terminalof the battery H, while the opposite lead from the battery may beconnected to the frame 24 through the retainer cartridge C and lead tothe lamp 103 through the metal casing 90. t

In both of the forms D and E, provision has been made whereby the lightbulbs may be replaced whenever such becomes desirable and necessary.

Figure 12 of the drawings is a perspective view of the rear section ofthe two part terminal block 96 as employed in the form of lightprojecting cartridge as illustrated in Figures 9 and 11.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent the manner in whichthe firing pin 32 acts for completing of a circuit through the lightbulb u on actuation of the firing mechanism M o the revolver.

The light beam projected by the light projecting cartridge will remainas long as pressure is maintained on the trigger 27, since so long, asthis pressure is maintained, the lifter 29 remains in a raised positionbetween the hammer and tiring pin thus holding the irin in in contactwith the light projecting cartri ge.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel electrictarget practice apparatus for firearms has been provided whereby targetpractice may be carried on with the actual firearm intended for thefiring of loaded cartridges, and embodying elements which may be readilyassociated with the firearm upon removal of the usual cartridges., andthe firearm operated in a manner as would be pursued in the actualfiring of loaded cartridges.

Changes in detail may be made to the specific forms of the inventionherein shown and described, Without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a target practice apparatus, the combination with a firearmembodying a chainbered cylinder, and a firing mechanism embodying afiring pin, of a light projecting cartridge embodying a light bulb,removably fitting in the chamber of said cylinder and adapted to have anelectrical circuit completed through the light bulb thereof by contactof the firin pin of the firing mechanism with the cartri ge.

2. In a target practice apparatus, the coinbination with a firearmembodying a chambered cylinder, and a firing mechanism embodying afiring pin, of a light projecting cartridge embo ying a light bulb,removably fitting in the chamber of said cylinder, said light bulb tohave a circuit completed therethrough by the firing pin of the firingmechanism, and cushioning means associated vWith the cartridge forcushioning of the impact of the firing pin.

3. The combination with a firearm embodying a revoluble cylinder havingchambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and firingmechanism for rotation of the cylinder, of an electric target practiceapparatus comprising a light projecting cartridge provided with a lightbulb' removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cylinder inalignment with the barrel of the firearm, means for completing a circuitthrough the light bulb, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting inanother chamber of said cylinder and coacting with the firing mechanismof the 'firearm for retaining o the cylinder against rotation uponactuation of the firing mechanism.

4, The combination with a. firearm embodying a revoluble cylinder havingchambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and a firingmechanism embodying a firing pin and a hand for rotating of the cylinderupon actuation of the firing mechanism, of an electric target practiceap aratus comprising alight projecting cartri ge provided with a lightbulb removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cyhiider inalignment with the barrel of the firearm,

means to complete a circuit through the light bulb including said firingpin, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in a second chamber ofthe cylinder for preventing normal operation of said hand duringactuation of the firing mechanism.

5. The combination with a firearm einbodying a revoluble cylinder havingchambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and a firingmechanism embodying a firing pin and a hand for normally rotating saidcylinder upon actuation of the firing mechanism, of an electric targetpractice anparatus comprising a light projecting cartridge provided witha light bulb removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cylinderin alignment with the barrel of the firearm and engageable by saidfiring pin, means for energizing said light bulb upon actuation of thefiring mechanism, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in a secondchamber of the cylinder and provided with a laterally projecting lugengageable by said hand. for retaining the hand out of operativeengagement with said cylinder upon actuation of the firing mechanism.

6. In a target practice apparatus, the comb-ination with a firearmembodying a chambered cylinder and a firing mechanism embodying a firingpin aligning at the rear of the chamber of said cylinder, of a lightprojecting cartridge embodying a light bulb` removably fitting in thechamber of said cylinder, means for energizing said light bulb uponactuation of the firing mechanism, and a cushioning means arrangedaxially within the cartridge embodying a cap yieldably mounted at therear of the cartridge and engageable by the firing pin for cushioning ofthe impact of the firing pin when engaging the cartridge.

7. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms,comprising a tubular casing, a light bulb carried by the forward end ofthe casing, a core of insulating material arranged Within the casing, aterminal block carried by the forward portion of the core for connectionwith one terminal of the light bulb, a cap slidably carried by the rearportion of the core and opening at the rear of the core, and acushioning spring arranged between the terminal blocks and said cap andserving for normally maintaining a closed circuit between the cap andone terminal of the light bulb.

8. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms,comprising a tubular metal casing, a light bulb mounted at the forwardend of the casing, a longitudinally halved insulating core arranged inthe casing and provided with a guideway opening at the rear of the core,a cap slidably mounted in the guideway, a terminal block at the forwardportion of the core for connecting vwith one terminal of the light bulb,

and means electrically connecting the terminal block and cap, embodyingan expansion spring normallv urging the cap rearwardly within the core.

9. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms,comprising a tubular casing, a light bulb carried by the forward end ofthe casing and embodying a post, a reflector mounted upon the postwithin the bulb for projecting the light rays forwardly of thecartridge, a core mounted in the casing, and cushioning means carried bythe core and embodying an impact cap opening to the rear of the casing.

10. In a target practice apparatus, the combination with a firearmembodying a cylinder having chambers for aligning with the barrel of thefirearm, of an electric target practice apparatus comprising a lightprojecting cartridge provided with a light bulb removably fitting in oneof the chambers of said cylinder and having a lead wire for connectionwith one terminal of a battery, and a retainer cartridge removablyfitting in another chamber of said cylinder and having f light bulb.

EUGENE H. STRONG.

